Cutting device

ABSTRACT

A cutting device ( 10 ) for cutting a material ( 12 ) and providing a cut portion of the material ( 12 ). The device comprises a heating assembly comprising an electrical induction arrangement ( 32 ) for heating the cut portion of the material by induction heating.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/421,968 filed Apr. 22, 2003 and claims priority under 35 USC 119 ofUnited Kingdom Patent Application No. 0209316.9 filed Apr. 24, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cutting devices and may also relate totransfer apparatus. Particularly but not exclusively, the inventionrelates to cutting devices and to transfer apparatus for adhering a foilportion to an object, such as the rim of an aperture, e.g. an open topof a container or other similar article having an opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of a foil including a layer of heat sensitive adhesive to closeand seal containers such as milk bottles and pill bottles is well known.A punch and die arrangement punches a foil portion of the required sizedirectly into the cap from a foil sheet fed through the punch and die.The foil portion is delivered to the container as part of the cap, andan electrical induction system heats the foil, melting the adhesive andsealing the foil to the rim of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a cuttingdevice comprising a cutting member and a heating assembly for heating anarticle to be cut, the heating means being provided on the cuttingmember.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided acutting device comprising a cutting arrangement for cutting a materialand providing a cut portion of the material, and a heating assemblycomprising an electrical induction arrangement comprising for heatingthe cut portion of the material by induction heating.

Preferably, the material comprises a thermosensitive adhesive to beactivated by the electrical induction arrangement.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is providedtransfer apparatus to transfer a portion of a web of a material to anarticle, the material comprising a thermosensitive adhesive, and theapparatus comprising a cutting device to cut said web portion from theweb and heating assembly to heat the web portion and activate thethermosensitive adhesive.

In one embodiment, the heating assembly may be provided on the cuttingmember. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include holder holdingthe article, and the heating assembly may be provided on the holder.

Preferably, the material comprises a substrate on which thethermosensitive adhesive is provided. In one embodiment, the substrateis metallic. In another embodiment, the substrate may be a non-metallicmaterial, particularly an electrically insulating material such as aplastics material.

Preferably, the heating assembly comprises induction means. In oneembodiment, where the substrate is metallic, the web portion be heatedby induction heating.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a translation assembly for effectingrelative movement between the cutting assembly and the article to bringthe cutting member and the article together to effect said transfer ofthe web portion to the article.

Preferably the cutting member, is movable and may comprise a main body.The cutting member may comprise a cutting head or punch. Preferably, thecutting member is formed from a non-metallic material. Preferably thecutting member is formed from an electrically insulating material. Thecutting member may be formed from a thermally insulating material. Thecutting member is conveniently formed from a ceramic material. Theheating assembly is preferably provided on the cutting member.

Desirably, the heating assembly comprises electrical coils provided onor in the cutting member. The electrical coils may be wound around or inthe cutting member. The cutting member may be provided with a recess,which may be annular, to receive the coils, or in another embodiment,the cutting member may be hollow to receive said coils therein. In thisother embodiment the cutting member may define a chamber and theelectrical induction arrangement may be provided within the chamber. Inthis embodiment, the heating assembly may comprise coils wound around aformer in the chamber.

In another embodiment, for example where the substrate is a non-metallicmaterial, particularly an electrically insulating material, the cuttingmember may be provided with a metal face to engage the substrate.Preferably, the metal face comprises a metal layer on the cuttingmember. In this embodiment, the metal face may be heated by inductionheating and said heated metal face may heat the cut portion. Preferably,the metal layer is a thin layer, and may have a thickness of 1 mm orless.

Preferably the translation means is provided to move the cutting memberto the article to transfer the cut portion to and away therefrom aftersaid transfer has been effected. Preferably the apparatus includes apower supply in communication with the heating assembly. The powersupply may supply power continuously to the heating assembly, or maysupply power intermittently to the heating means, and may supply thepower in response to the position of the cutting means.

Preferably, the cutting device comprises a cutting guide arrangementwhich may be co-operable with the cutting member. The cutting guidearrangement may define a cutting passage therethrough, wherein thecutting member and the cutting guide arrangement are movable relative toeach other so that the cutting member can be received in the cuttingpassage to cut the material.

The cutting guide arrangement may comprise a first cutting platedefining a first aperture through which the cutting member may bemovable to the material. Preferably, the cutting guide arrangementcomprises a second cutting plate defining a second aperture into whichthe punch may be movable after the material has been cut.

Preferably, the first and second cutting plates are arranged so that, inuse, the cutting member is movable through the first aperture beforecutting the material, and thereafter the cutting member may be movablethrough the second aperture.

In one embodiment, the cutting guide arrangement may comprise a housingto guide the cutting member. Preferably, the housing defines a guidepassage therethrough. The guide passage is preferably aligned with thecutting passage.

Preferably the first and second cutting plates are spaced from eachother by a material transport passage, the material being movable alongthe material transport passage. In one embodiment, the direction ofmovement of the cutting member is transverse to the direction ofmovement of the material.

Preferably the cutting device includes carrying means to carry the cutportion on the cutting member. The carrying means may comprise anengagement portion and vacuum means on the cutting member. The vacuummeans may be operable to apply suction to the cut portion to hold thecut portion by the engagement portion prior to transfer of the portionto the article. The engagement portion may comprise an engagementsurface.

Preferably the translation means is operable to move the cutting memberbetween a first position in which the cutting member is spaced from thematerial, a second position in which the cutting member can cut thematerial from the web, and a third position in which the cut portion canbe transferred to the article. Preferably, the first, second and thirdpositions are arranged generally in a straight line relative to eachother.

Preferably the apparatus includes a transfer arrangement for moving thematerial through the device. The transfer arrangement may operateintermittently in correspondence with the operation of the cuttingmember. Preferably the transfer arrangement includes a first reel forholding uncut material. The transfer arrangement may further include asecond reel for holding waste material from which portions have beencut. The transfer arrangement may further include motive means formoving the web from the first reel to the second reel, the cuttingmember being operable on a section of the material between the first andthe second reel.

The material preferably comprises a web, which is preferably in the formof a sheet of foil. The material may be provided with a layer of saidthermosensitive adhesive.

The engagement portion may comprise a recess for receiving a part of thearticle, thereby deforming the cut portion around the article ontransfer of the cut portion thereto.

Further according to the invention, there is provided container sealingapparatus for adhering a foil portion to the rim of a container, theapparatus being as described in the preceding eleven paragraphs.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof cutting a portion of a material, the method comprising cutting saidmaterial the method comprising cutting said material to provide a cutportion by induction heating.

Preferably, the material comprises a thermosensitive adhesive to beactivated by the induction heating.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a methodof transferring a portion of a material of a material to an article, thematerial comprising a thermosensitive adhesive, and the methodcomprising providing cutting means for cutting said portion from thematerial, providing a heating assembly comprising an electricalinduction arrangement for heating said portion, and effecting relativemovement between the cutting member and the article to bring the cuttingmember and the article together, actuating said heating assembly toactivate the thermosensitive adhesive to transfer the web portion to thearticle.

In one embodiment, the heating assembly may be provided on the cuttingmeans. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a holder forholding the article, and the heating assembly may be provided on theholder.

Preferably, the material comprises a substrate on which thethermosensitive adhesive is provided. Preferably, the substrate ismetallic. In another embodiment, the substrate may be a non-metallicmaterial, particularly an electrically insulating material, such as aplastics material.

Preferably, the heating assembly comprises an electrical inductionassembly. In one embodiment, where the material is metallic, the webportion can be heated by induction heating.

Preferably, the cutting member is moved to the article to transfer thecut portion, and thereafter is moved away therefrom after said transferhas been effected.

Preferably the cutting member comprises a main body. The cutting membermay comprise a cutting head or punch. Preferably the cutting member isformed from a non-metallic material. Preferably the cutting member isformed from an electrically insulating material. The cutting member maybe formed from a thermally insulating material. The cutting member isadvantageously formed from a ceramic material.

Desirably, the electrical induction arrangement comprises electricalcoils provided on or in the cutting member. The electrical coils may bemounted around the cutting member. The cutting member may be providedwith a recess, which may be annular, to receive the coils.

In one embodiment, for example where the substrate is a non-metallicmaterial, particularly an electrically insulating material, the cuttingmeans may be provided with a metal face to engage the substrate,preferably, the metal face is a metal layer on the main body. In thisembodiment, the metal face may be heated by induction heating and saidheated metal face may heat the cut portion.

The step of effecting said relative movement includes guiding thecutting member to the web and may thereafter include guiding the cuttingmember to the article.

Preferably the first and second cutting plates are spaced from eachother by a web transport passage, the web being movable along the webtransport passage.

The method may further include the step of carrying the web portion onthe cutting member. The step of carrying the web portion on the cuttingmember may comprise applying suction to said web portion to hold the webportion on the cutting means.

Preferably the cutting member is moved between a first position in whichthe cutting member is spaced from the web, a second position in whichthe cutting member can cut the web portion from the web, and a thirdposition in which the web portion can be transferred to the article.Preferably, the first, second and third positions are arranged generallyin a straight line relative to each other.

Preferably the method includes moving the web relative to the cuttingmeans. The step of moving the web may comprise intermittently moving theweb in correspondence with the operation of the cutting means.Preferably the step of moving the web includes providing uncut web on afirst reel means and may further include providing a second reel meansfor holding waste web from which portions have been cut. Step of movingthe web may include moving the web from the first reel to the secondreel, the cutting means being operable on a section of the web betweenthe first and the second reel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of exampleonly with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a cutting device;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the region marked II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A shows sectional side view of a modification of the embodimentshown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3A to 3C show three steps in the operation of part of anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a further embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a cuttingapparatus 10 for cutting a portion of a web 12 of a foil material andtransferring the cut portion to articles in the form of containers 20,for example bottles of a drink. The foil material is provided to sealthe open tops of the containers 20. The web 12 of the foil material isformed of an aluminium foil, having a layer of a thermosensitiveadhesive provided on the lower surface thereof. The web 12 is providedon a supply reel 14 and waste web is taken up on a waste reel 16. Theweb 12 extends through a cutting device 18 which cuts web portions 17from the web 12. The web portions 17 are of a sufficient size and shapeto fit over the top of the containers 20. The containers 20 are mountedon an endless belt conveyor 22 and are transported by the conveyor 22 inthe direction indicated by the arrow A to bring each container 20sequentially into position directly beneath the cutting device 18, asshown for receiving the web portion 17 thereon.

The cutting device 18 comprises a cutting member comprising a main bodyor cutting punch 24 having a web engagement portion 26 provided with anengagement face 27 to engage the portion cut from the web.

The cutting device 18 further includes a cutting arrangement forreceiving the cutting punch 24 in the form of first and second cuttingplates 34, 36. The first cutting plate member 34 defines a first cuttingpassage 38 to receive the cutting punch 24 so that the cutting punch 34can cut the web 12.

The cutting further includes a cutting arrangement 33 for receiving thecutting punch 24 in the form of first and second cutting plates 34, 36.The first cutting plate member 34 defines a first cutting passage 38 toreceive the cutting punch 24 so that the cutting punch 34 can cut theweb 12.

An actuator 40 in the form of a piston arrangement is provided to movethe cutting punch 24 downwardly in the direction of the arrow B toeffect the transfer and upwardly in the opposite direction to return thecutting punch 24 to its start position. The second guide member 36defines a second guide passage 42 to guide the cutting punch 24 to thetop of the container 20.

A web transport passage 46 is provided between the first and secondguide members 34, 36, to guide the web 12 in the direction of the arrowC.

The apparatus 10 further includes an induction generator 48 to supplyelectrical power to the induction coil 32.

In operation, a web 12 of foil material is fed along the web transportpassage 46 from a supply reel 14 and the end is mounted onto the wastereel 16. The cutting punch 24 is in the position shown in FIG. 1.

A plurality of containers 20 are arranged on the conveyor 22. Theoperation of the apparatus is appropriately programmed such that theconveyor 22 moves each of the containers 20 in turn underneath thecutting punch 24 and then stops. At this point the cutting punch 24 isin its first or start position. The actuator 40 then moves the cuttingpunch 24 downwardly to a second position to cut the web portion 17 fromthe web 12. The vacuum means 35 is then operated to apply suction andhold the web portion 17 onto the engagement surface 28 of the cuttingpunch 24. The actuator 40 continues its operation to move the cuttingpunch 24 downwardly to a third position at which the web portion is onthe cutting punch 24 engages the top of the container 20.

As the cutting punch 24 engages the container 20, the generator 48supplies electrical power to the induction coils 32 which causeinductive heating of the metallic foil web portion 17. The technique ofinductive or induction heating is a well known process and need not beexplained here. The inductive or induction heating of the web portion 17melts, or partially melts, the adhesive layer on the web portion 17causing the web portion 17 to adhere to the top of the container 20.

The vacuum means 34 is then switched off and the cutting punch 24retracted to the initial position as shown in FIG. 1, with the webportion 17 remaining adhered to the top of the container 20. Theconveyor 22 then moves the containers 20 in the direction of the arrow Auntil the next container 20 is directly below the cutting assembly 18.The process described above is then repeated until all the bottles 20 onthe conveyor 22 are sealed with a web portion 17.

A modification to the embodiment of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 2A, which issuitable for use with non-metallic, non-electrically conducting foils12A. The modification shown in FIG. 2A comprises many of the features ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and these features are designated withthe same reference numeral. In this modification, the cutting punch 24has a lower face 28A and metallic engagement layer 27 provided thereonto provide a metallic face to engage the non-metallic foil 12A. With themodification shown in FIG. 2A, the coils 32 inductively heat themetallic engagement layer 27. The heated layer 27 heats adhesive on thenon-metallic foil 12A to partially melt the adhesive, enabling the foil12 to adhere to the top of a container 20.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C there is shown a further embodiment, whichcomprises many of the features of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, andthese have been designated with the same reference numeral. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C differs from the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 in that the engagement surface 28 in the form of a circularrecess 50 having a downwardly depending circumferential edge region 52.The recess 50 is slightly larger than the top of the containers 20 suchthat the top of each container 20 can be received sequentially withinthe recess 50.

FIG. 3A shows the cutting punch 24 in its first position, and is thenmoved downwardly through the second position to cut the web portion 17from the web 12. FIG. 3B shows the cutting punch 24 in a positionintermediate the second and third positions.

Further downward movement of the cutting punch 24 to the third positionas shown in FIG. 3C brings the web portion 17 into engagement with thetop of the container 20. The top of the container 20 is received in therecess 52, thereby deforming the web portion around the outside of thetop of the container 20. As can be seen from FIG. 3C, the downwardlydepending edge region 52 enables the web portion 17 to be deformed sothat it is a snug fit around the top of the container 20.

The induction coils are actuated to heat the adhesive layer on the webportion 17 so that the web portion 17 adheres around the top of thecontainer 20. A further embodiment of a transfer apparatus 10 is shownin FIG. 4. The apparatus shown in FIG. 4 comprises many of the featuresof the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3C, and these have been designatedwith the same reference numeral.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 4 differs from that shown in the previousembodiments, in that it comprises an elongate cutting punch 24 having ahollowed central region 60 in which a coil former 62 is provided aroundwhich the coil 32 is wound in a direction extending along the main axisof the elongate cutting punch 24. Also, the first and second cuttingplate 34, 36 are connected to a guide housing 64 defining a central bore66 in which is mounted a guide bearing 68. The cutting punch 24 slidablyreciprocates within the bore 66. An internal member 70 is providedwithin the space 60 and is held into position by a spacer 72 at theupper end thereof. The internal member 70 defines the vacuum conduit 29to provide the vacuum for holding the cut foil onto the engagementsurface 28 of the cutting punch 24.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the engagement surface 28 is providedon an insert 74 which may be formed of a suitable material, for examplerubber. The engagement surface 28 is provided on an engagement portion26 formed of a suitable metallic material. The engagement portion 26 is,in turn, mounted on the rubber insert 74.

Cooling apertures 76 are provided within the inner member 70 for coolingthe ceramic cutting punch 24.

A connector head 78 is attached to the cutting punch 24 and connects thecutting punch 24 to a suitable machine for effecting the reciprocatingmotion of the cutting punch 24.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a further embodiment suitable forapplying sealing foil portions to the inside of a container 82.

Again, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 comprises many other features ofthe embodiment shown in the earlier drawings, and these have beendesignated with the same reference numeral. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the coil 32 is provided around a former member 84 which isseparate from the cutting head 24.

In operation, the cutting head 24 cuts through the web 12 and delivers aweb portion 17 into the cap 18. The induction coil 32 then heats up theweb portion 17 while the cutting head presses the web portion 17 ontothe cap thereby activating the adhesives and adhering the web portion 17to the inside of the cap 82. The cutting punch 24 then retracts upwardlyto its position shown in FIG. 6 to repeat the operation.

The first and second cutting plates 34, 36 are mounted on a frame 86comprising an upper frame member 88 upon which the cutting plates 34, 36are provided and a lower frame member 90 upon which the former 84 isprovided.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For example, the foil material used in the embodimentsshown in the drawings could be formed of a metallic material other thanaluminium. Also, the foil material may be provided with adhesive on bothsides. Also, the apparatus could be used to seal apertures in articlesother than containers, for example apertures in valves, tubes or thelike.

Other modifications that could be incorporated are that it is notnecessary to use a belt conveyor. Instead, each container could bearranged under the cutting punch 24 by hand or fitted onto a rotarysealing machine.

A further modification is that in addition, or as an alternative to, thevacuum arrangement 35, the guide member 36 are configured to guide thecutting punch 24 and the cut piece of foil material 17 to the container20. With such an embodiment, the guide member 36 extends to the top ofthe container 20, as designated by the numeral 36A in FIG. 2 andindicated by broken lines.

The above description discusses embodiments of the invention in terms ofapplying a foil material to seal the top of a container. It will beappreciated, that other embodiments could be used for applying materialsto other articles.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importanceit should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

1-40. (canceled)
 41. A cutting device comprising: an electricallyinsulating cutting member for cutting electrically conductive materialcarrying a thermosensitive adhesive and for transferring a cut portionof the electrically conductive material to an open top of a container toseal the container; a heating assembly comprising electrical inductioncoils for heating the cut portion of the electrically conductivematerial following transfer to the open top of the container and whilstheld against the open top of the container by the cutting member;wherein heating of the cut portion of the electrically conductivematerial by induction heating is arranged to melt the thermosensitiveadhesive to thereby seal the cut portion of the electrically conductivematerial to the open top of the container to seal the container.
 42. Acutting device according to claim 41, wherein the cutting member isformed from a non-metallic material.
 43. A cutting device according toclaim 41, wherein the cutting member is formed from a thermallyinsulating material.
 44. A cutting device according to claim 41, whereinthe cutting member includes a circumferentially extending cutting edge.45. A cutting device according to claim 41, wherein the cutting memberis linearly displaceable.
 46. A cutting device according to claim 41,wherein the electrical induction coils are arranged to directly heat thecut portion of the electrically conductive material by inductionheating, without heating the cutting member.
 47. A cutting devicecomprising: a linearly displaceable cutting member for cuttingelectrically conductive material carrying a thermosensitive adhesive toprovide a cut portion of the electrically conductive material and fortransferring the cut portion of the electrically conductive material toan open top of a container to seal the container; a heating assemblycomprising electrical induction coils for heating the cut portion of theelectrically conductive material by induction heating following transferto the open top of the container and whilst held against the open top ofthe container by the cutting member; wherein heating of the cut portionof the electrically conductive material by induction heating is arrangedto melt the thermosensitive adhesive to thereby seal the cut portion ofthe electrically conductive material to the open top of the container toseal the container.
 48. A cutting device comprising: a linearlydisplaceable cutting member for cutting a web of electrically conductivematerial carrying a thermosensitive adhesive to provide a cut portion ofthe electrically conductive material from the web and for transferringthe cut portion of the electrically conductive material to an open topof a container to seal the container; a heating assembly comprisingelectrical induction coils for heating the cut portion of theelectrically conductive material by induction heating following transferto the open top of the container and whilst held against the open top ofthe container by the cutting member; wherein heating of the cut portionof the electrically conductive material by induction heating is arrangedto melt the thermosensitive adhesive to thereby seal the cut portion ofthe electrically conductive material to the open top of the container toseal the container, and further wherein the cutting member is formedfrom a material which is electrically insulating whereby the cuttingmember is not inductively heated.